Production tester



Aug. 8, 1933. G, A. MACREADY PRODUCTION TESTER Filed Sept. l2, 1950 lFig.

Patented Aug. 8, 1933 UNITED STATESl PRODUCTION TESTER George A. Macready, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application' 'september 12, 1930 Serial No. 481,439

, 9 Claims.

My invention relates to well drilling and is for the purpose of testing the productivity of a formation encountered while drilling a well to determine whether the formation is sufficiently productive to justify the expense of preparing the Well tomake it produce.

.In oilwell drilling it is difiicult to estimate from samples of rock brought up byv the drill whether a formation ecountered while drilling will produce oil. In order to extract oil from a formation which underlies a water bearing stratum it is necessary to form a seal to exclude thewater from the oil formation. This is usually accomplished by cementing a string of casing to the wall of the well above the oil formation and below the water formation. By drawing liquid from the casing the oil flows in from the formation to replace the liquid drawn and in this way a well is made to produce oil. However, it 20 frequently costs thousands of dollars'to purchase and cement casing in a Well. If the operator makes a mistake and sets his casing at the wrong place it is readily seen that a heavy financial loss results.

With my invention I temporarily seal awell at a level between the oil and water formations and draw a sample of liquid from the supposed oil formation (or gas) into the pipe by which my invention is lowered.- This sample, discloses the The information will greatly reduce the severe financial losses occasioned by mistaken guesses as to the productivity of untested formations.

Previous applications for patent now pending in the United States Patent Ofce disclosing related inventions are: Serial Number 572,889 filed July 5, 1922 for Method and apparatus for obtaining samples from drilled wells and its divisional application filed January 30, 1928, Serial Number 250,568. Also Serial Number 31,855 led May 2l, 1925 for Recoverable Well packer and iiuid sampler.

An object of the present invention is an improved form of valve so that instead of lowering '45 the liquid level in the drill pipe by b'ailing or eX- pression the drill pipe is lowered empty with the valve closed. My invention operates preferably with a tapered packer which seats on a shoulder at the top of a rat hole made during the drilling of a well. A rat hole is a hole of reduced diameter below the upper part of the well.

An object of my invention is a valve connected closely to the drill pipe so as to withstand high pressures.

true nature of the uid in theformation tested..

Another object is to provide a single Valve.

which will not only exclude liquid from the drill pipe until ready for it to enter but will also serve as a check valve in case it is desirableto establish circulation.

Another object of my invention is a unique form of llock which will prevent premature opening of the valve.

Another object is a novel form of thrust bearing so that the drill pipe can be rotated throughout the entire test. In this way if there is any suspicion of the drill pipe becoming stuck in the Well it can be withdrawn at the rstiwarning and before any injuryis caused to the well.

' Another object is va production tester having a straight longitudinal passage through it which obviates danger of clogging. f

4With the foregoing and other objects in View which will be made manifest in the following detailed description and especially pointed out in the appended claims,reference is had to the accompanying drawing for illustrative embodiment of my invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of my invention, l

Figure 2 is a cross section at 2 2 on Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a cross section at 3 3 on Figure l,

Figure 4 is a cross section at 4 4 on Figure 1,

Figure 5 isa cross section at 5 5 on Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a crosssection at 6 6 on Figure 1,

Figure 7 is a cross section at 7 7 on Figure 1,

. Figure 8 is a cross section at 8 8 on Figure 1,

Figure 9 is a cross section at 9 9 on Figure 1,

Figure 10 is a cross section at 10 10 on Figure 1,

Figure A11 is a cross section at 11-11 on Figure 1, I

Figure 12 is a cross vsection at 12 12 on Figure 1, and

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the valve shifting plate with the enclosing case removed.

.Similar numerals refer to similar parts through out the several views.

In the accompanying drawing the top of my apparatus is provided with a top connection 1 having a threaded pin 2 or box for connection to the conventional drill pipe used in oil well drilling. Attached to or integral with the top connection and extending below is a tubular housing 3 forming a chamber 4 for the valve shifting mechanism. Continuing below the housing is a coupling member 5 having a constricted bore above an enlarged chamber 6 for housing the swivel bearings. A shoe member 7 forms the lower member of the outer case. All these members are rigidly connected together and to the drill pipe.

A tube 8 provided with perforations 9 is surrounded by a packing member l1 which may have an internal core 12 forming a packer member or assembly. A bottom piece or cap lmay be provided to exclude large chunks of cavings during lowering into the well and may have a central perforation a. Screws 13' or other means may retain the packing in assembly during lowering and a ring or coupling 14 of any desirable diameter forms a downwardly facing shoulder which can bear against the packing when seated. A mandril tube-15 fis rigidly attached to tube 8 by coupling 14 so that the two tubes form a continuous passage.

Surrounding tube 15 and supported on coupling 14 is a coil spring 16. A collar 17 is loosely mounted around tube 15 above spring 16 so as to permit it to slide along the tube but the rotation of the tube is prevented by key 18. The sleeve 19 in chamber 6 is'rigidly attached to tube 15 as by screw threads so that spring 16, collar 17 and shoe 7 are all retainedA on the tube..

The upper portion of tube 15 is externally threaded for a considerable length and carries a sleeve 20 mounted thereon so that it can freely screw along the threads. A pin 21 passes through the coupling 5 just below shoulder 22 and meshes in a notch in sleeve 20 when the latter is screwed locked against endwise movement. Sleeve 26 shouldhave a notched or hexagon internal passage or bore to t a wrench for assembling purposes.

A at sided block 28 is attached to the upper end of tube 27 and two parallel plates 29 and 30 are attached, as by screws 42, to the block which holds them in spaced relation. Each plate is provided with an oblique slot 31 for a purpose hereinafter described. For the smaller sizes the assembly described in this pragraph may be best made in a single integral piece.

A block 32 provided with a longitudinal passage 33 is attached to top connection 1 inside chamber 4 so that passage 33 communicates with the interior of the drill pipe through passage 34 of the connection 1. This block may be made integral with connection 1 'if desirable. Block 32 is provided with parallel smoothly finished sides for a free sliding t between plates 29 and 30. The two other sides are curved to iit within tube 3. The lower end of block 32 is accurately and'smoothly finished to co-,operate with slide valve 35.

y Slide valve 35 is a flat plate accurately and smoothly finished to slide across passage 33 of block 32 to close same and-make a uid tight barrienagainst upward low of Huid. Valve 35 and .passage 33 are proportioned of such size that the valve can completely cover the passage or be moved sideward to completely uncover the Apassage. ,Valve 35 is provided with trunnions 36 which fit in the oblique slots 31. Washers 37 retained by cotters hold the valve 35 and plates 29, 30 in assembly.

A plate 38 is pressed upwardly against valve 35 by a con Spring 39 which in turn is backed by is effected between tubes 15 and 27 and they are side apertures 44 and 45 so that when pressure is applied from above it can depressy valve 35 by compressing spring 39 and allow ow from passage 33 around spring 39 via passages 44 and 45 and into tubes 27 and 15.

It will readily be seen that valve 35 acts as a gate valve to control upward ow through my apparatus and also acts as a check valve to permit down flow when pressure from above is increased, as when circulation is desired.

In the construction illustrated the passage 33 and valve 35 are shown' as on the central axis of the apparatus which has the advantage that tools such as a sinker bar can be lowered through the packer to break up obstructions below the packer.' The construction c an be varied slightly by having the passage-33 eccentric in which case a slightly larger valve4 passage caribe made available.

My apparatus is assembled as follows. Block 32, valve 35, spring, plates and parts to tube 27 but without sleeve 26 are assembled and attached to top connection 1. Tube 3 is then attached to enclose them. Shoe 7 is slipped over tube 15 and retained between sleeves 17 and 19 by screwing sleeve 19 firmly into place. Sleeves 20, 25 and 26 are then attached to tube 15 and coupling 5 slipped over them and attached to shoe 7 and 110 the packing tightened. Coupling 5 is then joined to tube 3 and sleeve 26 screwed into tube 27. In order to attach sleeve 26 a long handle wrench is inserted from the lower or opposite end of tube 15, to turn sleeve 26. Tube 15 can 115 then be rotated and has a limited longitudinal movement so that by pushing and twisting it sleeve 20 can be screwed against shoulder 22 until the longitudinal movement 1s eliminated. Spring 16 can then be slipped over tube 15 and retained 120 by coupling 14 and the packing members 8, 11 and 12 attached. The tool is then ready for operation. v .i

To prepare a well for a test a shoulder is made on the well wall slightly above the formation to 125 be tested, preferably in a tight formation, to form a seat for the packer to rest on and this is done by boring a rat hole or hole of smaller diameter below the shoulder and into the formation to be tested.I

The operation of my invention is as follows. After assembling as described, the lower end of the drill pipe is attached to top connection 1 and the whole-lowered into the well until packing member l1 contacts the shoulder at the top of the rat hole. The drill pipe is then fed down a few inches so -that it bears on the production tester. Sleeve 20 engages under shoulder 22 and prevents tube 15V telescoping immediately into membersI 5 and 7 and the packer is rml'y seated on its seat. The drill pipe is then turned slowly to the right and pin 21 engaging in the notch of sleeve 20 turns the sleeve on tube 15 so that it screws downwardly over the tube which is held against rotation by the packer member. As the sleeve descends the members 7, 5, 3, 1 and block 32 also descend compressing spring 16. Shoe 7 rotates on the top of sleeve 17 as a thrust bearing, which being keyed to tube 15 eliminates undesirable twist of the spring. Dur'irg the descent 150 block 32 carrying with it valve 35 and its spring 39 telescopes between plates 29 and 39 with the result that trunnions 36 move in the oblique slot 31 and shift valve 35 to the dotted position shown on Figure 4 in which position the passage is open through the tool from the drill pipe to perforations 9. Fluid which has been excluded from the drill pipe by valve 35 during lowering can now enter via perforations 9 into the drill pipe. Packings at 23 and l1 form seals between the drill pipe and wall of the well at the shoulder so that liquidabove the shoulder is excluded from both the drill pipe and that portion of the well belQw the shoulder. Therefore the fluid entering the drill pipe is from that portion of the well below the packer and irom the formation tested.

Valve 35 is kept in Aopen position long enough for a sufficient sample oi' formation liquid to enter the drill pipe. During all this test the drill pipe can be kept in motion to avoid becoming stuck in the well. In some wells it is dangerous for drill pipeV to remain in one position long because of becoming stuck. By rotating the amount of power used-gives .a warning of the danger point so that the 'pipe can be immediately Withdrawn from the well before it sticks.

When it is believed sufficient fluid has entered the drill pipe it is pulled upward. Spring 16 eX- pands when the load is removed from it and draws tube l5 out through shoe '7 with the result that plates 29 and 39 resume their original posi# tion relative to block 32 shifting valve 35 back over passage 33 closing same and trapping the sample of well fluid in the drill pipe.

It will be noted that valve plate 35 when in 4closed position cannot be opened by` pressure from outside the drill pipe because increase of pressure only presses the valve plate tighter on its seat over passage 33. As a precaution to prevent sticking the pipe or to wash out cavings it is sometimes desirable to circulate mud iluid through the drill pipe. This of course interrupts the test but it prevents injury to the well. When the circulation liquid is lpumped down the drill pipe and pushes against valve 35 the valve can open by compressing spring 39 and allow circulation fluid to pass through the apparatus into the well. When pulling a sample from the well the only static head to open the` spring is that of the column of liquid in the pipe above the well uid level. Ordinarily the well is full of liquid so that the column is only one derrick stand or about 40 pounds pressure. By choosing suitable sizes of spring 39 the`valve\35 can be closed tight enough to retain its sample against considerable pressure yet at the same time be not too tight for the pumps to lift if circulation is desired.

The sample brought to the surface in the drill pipe is an index of the liquid that can be expected from the formation tested. Rotation of the drill pipe during the test lessens the danger of the pipe becoming stuck during the test. Pro vision is made for circulation if desired. The apparatus is not complicated nor expensive to construct and operate. By selection of different size packing membeLs/at l1. l2 and 14 tests can be made in a variety of dierent size `holes with `the same tool.l

I claim'as my invention: 1. In a production tester; a tubular chamber member, a tube projecting into said chamber and connected thereto by a rotatable joint, a valve in said chamber operable by said tube, co-operating shoulders on said joint permitting a limited length of longitudinal travel to operate said valve, a notched sleeve threadedly mounted on said tube, a projection from said chamber member engaging the notch in said sleeve whereby said sleeve can be screwed longitudinally along said tube, said sleeve engaging said chamber at one end of its screw travel to lock said swivel against longitudinal travel and at the'opposite end to unscrew free from said projection.

2. An apparatus for making production tests in wells comprising a chamber providing for connection to a string of pipe and having a passage communicating with said pipe, a plate in said chamber movable transversely over the end of said passage to close same in one position and to open same in another position, a spring urging said plate against the end of said passage and yieldable to pressure from the opposite side of said plate to open said passage, av tube connected to that end of said chamber which is opposite the pipe connection by a liquid tight swivel joint providing limited longitudinal movement, an extension within said chamber swiveled to said tube and adapted to change longitudinal motion of said tube to transverse motion of said plate, and a packer provided with a longitudinal passage connected to said tube.

3. A production tester for making production tests in wells comprising a packer adapted to seat on a shoulder on a well wall, a tubular member providing for connection at one end to a string of drill pipe and having a longitudinal passage therethrough for communication with said drill pipe, a valve at the opposite end of said member.

transversely movable to control flow of fluid through said passage, a swivel connection between said packer and said member providing for limited longitudinal travel and means between said member and packer operable by said longitudinal travel to move said valve from open to closed position and vice versa.

4. A production tester for making production tests in wells comprising a packer adapted to seat on a shoulder on a well wall, a tubular member providing for connection at one end to a string of drill pipe and having a longitudinal passage therethrough for communication with said drill pipe, a valve at the opposite end of said passage transversely movable to control iiow of iiuid through said passage, a swivel connection between said packer and said member providing for limited longitudinal travel and means between said member and packer operable lby said longitudinal travel to move said valve from open to closed position and vice versa, said tester having a straight unobstructed longitudinal passage throughout its entire length when said valve is in open position.

5. A production tester for makingproduction tests in wells comprising a packer adapted to seat on a shoulder on a Well wall, a tubular member providing for connection at one end to a string of drill pipe and having a longitudn al passage therethrough for communication with said drill pipe, a valve at the opposite end of said passage transversely movable to control flow of iluid through said passage, a swivel connection between said packer and said member providing for limited llongitudinal travel and means between said member and packer operable by said longitudinal travel to move said valve from open to closed position and vice versa, said Valve having a yieldable relief by which it can be opened by'fluid pressure from the drill pipe end.

6. A production tester for making production tests in Wells comprising a packer adapted to form a seal on the Wall of a Well, means -or connecting said packer to drill pipe, a valve controlling admission ofiluid through said packer to said pipe and operable by longitudinal travel -of said pipe relative to said packer and a releasable lock adapted to lock said pipe and packer against relative longitudinal travel until unlocked, said pipe and packer being connected so as to be rotated continuously relative to each other vvhenv said valve is open. 1

7. A production tester for making production tests in Wells comprising a packer adapted to seat on a shoulder on the Wall of a Well, means for rotatably connecting said packer to pipe, a valve controlling admission of uid through said packer to said pipe and operable by longitudinal travel of said pipe relative to said packer and a releasable lock adapted to lock said` pipe and packer against relative longitudinal travel until unlocked, said pipe and packer being connected so as to be rotated continuously relative to each other Whenl said valve is open.

8. A production tester for making production tests in wells comprising apacker adapted to seat ling passage of fluid through said packer to said pipe and operable by longitudinal travel 'of said r pipe relative to said packer, Aa releasable lock adapted to lock said pipev and packer againstrelative longitudinal travel until unlocked, and a spring urging said packer away from said pipe, said pipe and packer being connected so as to be rotated continuously relative to each other when said valve is open.

9. An apparatus for making production tests in wells comprising a packer adapted to seat on a shoulder on a Well/Wall, .a tube extending upwardly from said packer and connected to a chamber, means normally locking said tule andl chamber against relative longitudinal travel, said meansI being unlocked by rotation of id chamber relative to said tube and said tub/ and chamber being rotatable and longitudinally movable relative to each other when unlocked, and a valve in said chamber controlling a passage through the upper endof said chamber and operable by said longitudinal travel.

GEORGE A. MiiCtEADY.v 

